One person sent to hospital in officer-involved shooting in Third Ward

A suspect who allegedly pointed a gun at a Houston police officer was shot in the leg Saturday and transported to the hospital in fair condition, officials said.

HPD commanders responded at about 10:15 a.m. to reports of the shooting on Alabama Street near Texas Southern University. A sergeant shot a 17-year-old suspect after he aimed a weapon at the officer, HPD executive assistant chief Troy Finner said.

The sergeant was uninjured and will be placed on administrative leave, a routine procedure for officer-involved shootings, Finner said, adding that the sergeant fired the gun twice.

Finner defended the sergeant who pulled the trigger, saying he was “proud” that the officer had prevented further injury.

“Young men out in our community who are packing pistols — stop it,” Finner said. “Nobody wants officer involved shootings.

The suspect will likely be charged with aggravated assault, Finner said.